History

Sinclair Research Center (Sinclair) is a biomedical research facility originally located on 543 acres in Columbia, Missouri. Sinclair was formed in 1965 by the University of Missouri (UMC) and originally named the Sinclair Comparative Medical Research Farm (SCMRF). Its primary function was to provide laboratory animal research support for the University’s Environmental Health Surveillance Center (EHSC) and the Environmental Trace Substance Research Center (ETSRC). These three entities collaborated to monitor for epidemiological evidences of environmental related illnesses (EHSC), samples were analyzed to detect trace amounts of substances which could be related to illnesses (ETSRC), and laboratory animal models were used to test the hypotheses (SCMRF). This concept was remarkably farsighted and it remains valid today.

Through the years, Sinclair’s role expanded and became a resource for a wide variety of animal and human health related research and became deeply involved in the development and use of animal models. Its original financial support was primarily from the University of Missouri and research grant funds that it attracted. The private sector quickly realized the unique resource of Sinclair and became the main source of support during the early 1990’s. Concurrently with the declining funding from the University, dedicated professionals privatized Sinclair on March 1, 1994 as a successful contract research and animal production facility.

The private corporation, Sinclair Research Center, Inc., continues its mission to serve the animal and human health industry and the pet food industry in its capacity of conducting high quality research and producing purpose bred animals. Since privatization, constant upgrading of personnel, facilities and equipment have resulted in an efficient, competitive research center. Sinclair has also contributed to the development of several animal models and acquired a domestic short hair-cat colony and several new herds of miniature swine including the Charles River miniature swine colonies. Now, Sinclair continues to operate the original UMC facility in Columbia while it added two facilities. Sinclair purchased a 200-acres near Columbia and has built a state-of-the-art research complex that has more than twice the capacity of the original UMC site. Sinclair also operates the Maine Yucatan production facility acquired from Charles River Laboratories. Due to these advances and high standards, Sinclair has attained full AAALAC accreditation.

Sinclair is committed to efficiency, confidentiality and rapid, accurate service. Our desire is to work closely with our clients to achieve long-term mutually beneficial relationships.